Joel re-assembles the Jedi Council of reviewers to talk about the new Star Wars film on opening night. Listen as Joel, Corey Hall, Josh Bowab, and Ellen Stachowicz break down the newest installment talking what worked and what didn’t, the direction the films in the future, some odd casting decisions and the influx of cuddly new animals. Is this as good as The Force Awakens? The Original Trilogy? Is this the Han Solo of Star Wars Films, the Jar Jar Binks or something in-between? The first part is spoiler-free so don’t worry if you haven’t seen it yet. You’ll hear the warnings when it happens, so listen to the first on the way to the movie and the second part on the way home. Or throw in an earbud and listen during the show – you won’t have to hear Benecio del Toro! May the Force Be With You for listening to this one!

When you take live phone calls anything can happen. Like on this show, Joel agreed to do a road gig – within minutes of going off an a particular road gig in an epic, caffeine-fueled meltdown. You’ll hear it here as Joel and Corey Hall take a call from comedian Bill Bushart who plugs an upcoming show that Joel had performed at multiple times in the past. Joel goes off on the venue, the management and the booking agents like never before on the show. This is something to hear. Corey shares his memories of some bad rooms and then Bill Hildebrandt, Joel’s mentor in comedy, calls to ask him to be his opening act for a show in January. It’s a perfect storm of irony and it all goes down on this show. Also, The Problem with Apu, is a well-made, rational, convincing, documentary that shows why nobody can take a joke anymore. Hear why some of America’s best known comics have turned on a comedy institution, The Simpsons, and why Joel and Corey think they’re wrong. Plus, a Star Wars: The Last Jedi preview including this podcasts’ review plans, Matt Lauer is the creep of the week, Netflix’s Voyeur documentary is worth a look, Rob Schneider was actually funny, and find out what happens when Marc Maron comes to the Comedy Castle – it’s no big deal apparently, and it wasn’t.

Comedian and comedy show producer, Frankenmuth Michigan’s own Melissa Hager joins the podcast to discuss her career, what she learned from Joel’s comedy class, what its like being from a small town and a lot more on this show. Melissa, who happily employed co-host Corey Hall for some shows, shares some of her secrets for success as well as telling a hilarious story about racial diversity which must be heard to be believed. Joel believes a lot of her success is due to applying big-city comedy production to small-town events unlike the multitude of “hell gigs” that have many comics, like Joel, very happy to leave the road forever. Melissa is a fun guest who, unlike Ted Moss, actually gets along with Corey! Despite that, you should listen to this show! Also, the Andy Kaufman/Jim Carrey documentary is a bloated DVD extra, while Gilbert Gottfried’s documentary is a masterpiece, Joel’s seen both and he will tell you why. Plus, Hot Cocoa Oreos reviewed, is Blake Shelton the sexiest redneck alive?, reviews of Lore on Amazon, Long Shot on Netflix, American Horror Story on FX and even more sexual harassment stories break – when will it end?

Hollywood has been rocked by sexual indiscretion this past week and Joel and Corey Hall attempt to make some sense of the whole thing. It’s a difficult and not-easy-to-be-funny-about topic but as Harvey Weinstein, Louis CK, Charlie Sheen, Kevin Spacey and others lose their places in show business, the guys try to find a common denominator and agree that not all sexual misconduct is created equal. Joel tells you why he knew most of these stories before and which celebrities might be getting in trouble in the future. Apologies for the heady subject matter – the Louis story broke while the show was being recorded! Also, Larry David: bad comic, bad taste, or both? Plus, Joel thinks the new Thor is good, mostly due to the director, Stranger Things returns and the debate about binge-watching vs watching once a week, George Clooney’s movie is a mess, Ric Flair’s documentary is worth a look, and Joel gets all the new video games.

Comedians come up with a lot of bad ideas. But they’ll also do anything for a joke. One such example is today’s guest, Ted Moss, and his idea for a low-budget, unplanned RV comedy tour and web series, The Broke N Road Comedy Tour. Ted and another comic, Billy Reno, will travel all over the US this winter and perform comedy anywhere people will have them – clubs, rest areas, RV parks, you name it. Joel thinks this is a terrible idea, even if he likes both comics a lot. Money? Food? Sex? Who’s taping the videos? Ted, ever the salesman, has an answer for everything and thinks the tour will be a smashing success. Or, at least ,he’ll find a vacation home. It’s always entertaining listening to Ted! Also, Joel’s wrestling pilgrimages continue as he travels to Ring of Honor in Chicago, where he had a front row seat and even wrote an airport love letter to a wrestler, because the show was so good. Plus, Blade Runner 2049 lives up to the hype, Alien: Covenant is a good one of those, Nathan For You is fantastic and funny, and find out why Joel won’t watch comedy on TV and why he doesn’t miss working the road.

In a week of sad news, Joel and Corey had some highlights anyway. Joel attended Paul McCartney’s recent show at the brand new Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, and Corey saw Monty Python legend John Cleese at an appearance. Hear about Joel’s excellent, but odd, seating arrangement at the show, a full review of the not-all-that-impressive building and why Paul still puts on a great show at 75-years-old. Corey details seeing the Python comic at a screening and Q&A session. Find out what it’s like to do those Q&As yourself, as both guys have done them – Corey with big hitters in the film world and Joel with wrestling legends Roddy Piper and a less-than-cooperative Iron Sheik. Plus, MC Sampler meets Mitch Albom, Whitney Houston’s new Showtime documentary reviewed, goodbye to Tom Petty, the Battle of the Sexes film reviewed and some background on the actual event, and the best 1970s snake/horror movie you will ever see.

Joel Radio is proud to have old friend Kevin Gill join the show to discuss this recent participation in the Juggalo March on Washington, where he was the emcee, and his career in pro wrestling including commentating on the recent infamous AAA TripleMania show where things went real bad. Hear why the announcers didn’t know what was happening, why one girl tried to break another girl’s arm and all the wacky behind the scenes stories from the event. Joel shares his regrets in not being at the March on D.C. and even chief Juggalo hater Corey Hall can’t dispute the purpose or success of the event. Also, KG and the guys pay tribute to Bobby Heenan, the greatest pro wrestling personality in the era of great personalities, who died this past week. Plus, Vice Principals returns to HBO, Jennifer Lawrence bombs at the box office, Joel’s Auntie reads a romance novel, and Wind River is probably the best movie playing at a theater near you.

What did you do for fun this Labor Day weekend? Corey Hall braved the huddled masses and saw and aging B-52s at a free festival, while Joel took a high-dollar option to watch an aging U2. Corey describes the horror of middle America searching for some free fun, while Joel thinks U2 was good a enough show with a solid opening act – Beck! – that made the $100+ price tag worth it. The guys also get an expert opinion on U2 from comedian Tom McCarthy who had seen the tour before and yet still couldn’t figure out what Patti Smith was doing on stage, either. Also, a Charlotesville racist does horrible stand-up, Joel talks The Strokes on a podcast, Aaron Rodgers gets a big, gay mustache and goodbye to Jay Thomas and Shelly Berman. Plus, the state of big franchise movie universes, the future of Star Wars, and the one big monster movie you really should see.

Two titans of comedy dies this past week. Comedian/activist Dick Gregory dies Saturday and nightclub, movie and telethon star Jerry Lewis died less than twenty-four hours later. Joel and Corey Hall remember the legends including Jerry’s last dicky interview, his awful failed talk show, and his bizarre thoughts on the world in 2017. Joel met Dick Gregory twice and found things didn’t get better with age, as he remembers the brilliant gentle, hilarious comic and the bitter angry, pushed-into-it-by-his-family Dick from six months ago. Also, old friend Sal Demilio calls in to remember Jerry and Dick and give betting tips on the upcoming NFL season and the Mayweather/McGregor fight. Plus, Joel and Corey take in the eclipse, as show fave John Tenney calls in with his thoughts and explains how the paranormal community cashed in on the hysteria. If that wasn’t enough, Disney leaves Netflix, Seeso says goodbye, Viceland looks at stand-up comedy, and why Chik-fil-a not being open on Sunday was the worst idea ever.

On this episode, Joel recaps another Gathering of the Juggalos, including him finally getting some good press for a change. The big takeaway is probably the crime, or lack thereof, at the 2017 festival site in Oklahoma City. Joel details the eight people arrested and what they got pinched for, and compares it to recent arrests at concerts and festivals around the world. It’s an eye-opening look at what is a feared and misunderstood event and why the good people of Oklahoma couldn’t separate the truth from the hype. Joel will also tell you the worst state to drive in, how to make peace with a not-so-kind-in-the-past reporter, and why Colorado is the new Florida. Also, the movie called Detroit came out this past week and it’s not very good. Hear where the filmmakers went wrong and find out why the Detroit riots of 1967 is a story that deserved better. Plus, how to get (or not get) all the podcasts you want – just cough up some dough and download three or four apps, Corey Hall reviews The Big Sick, HBO’s Defiant Ones is worth a look, and the fans chime in on the best and worst movies of summer.